Your cycling holiday
in Cycling Holidays France

Cycle Marseilles to Barcelona | Guided Group

Total Distance 204 miles (327km) | Average distance per day 35 miles (55km)

If you wish to discover the beauty of the Mediterranean coast, this cycling exploration from Marseille to Barcelona is made for you. Along the way you will discover medieval towns and villages, the wild beauty of the Camargue, the Canal du Midi, vineyards, cork oak forests, Greek and Roman remains and the inviting beaches of Catalunya. You will also travel by train and bus as you cycle the most interesting sections between the historic port cities of Marseille and Barcelona.

What not to miss

Mediterranean culture

Camargue wetlands

Canal du Midi

Emporda

Greek ruins

What’s included

Meals (breakfast)

Transport (Touring bike, bus, ferry, train)

Tour leader and guides

Good quality accommodation

Airport transfers

Your cycling holiday in Cycling Holidays France

Cycle Marseilles to Barcelona | Guided Group

Day 1

Arrival in Marseilles.

Make your way to metropolitan Marseilles. You’ll get an introductory briefing and then have time to relax, unwind and enjoy your first evening meal.

After breakfast you will go on a walking tour around old Marseille - including the old port, Place de Lenche, Place de Moulin, Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica and the historic Panier district. Later this morning you will leave the city by bus to Porte-Saint-Luis-du-Rhone where you will take a short Rhone river ferry crossing. It is here that you will commence your first cycle ride into the protected lowlands of the Rhone delta alongside dikes and saltwater lakes, until you reach Saintes Maries de la Mer where you will spend the night in the heart of the Camargue.

Today you will continue cycling through the rivers, lagoons and canals of the Camargue and Rhone Delta. The area has rich wildlife including the evocative white horses and flamingos (seasonal). On your route you will visit the fortified medieval town of Aigues Mortes. Finally, you will reach Sete where you will check into your hotel in the new part of town, before taking a dip in the warm waters of the Mediterranean. Sete is an ancient port and the old part of town is just 15 minutes away by foot.

Meals included: breakfast

Day 4

From Sete to Collioure | Distance 32 miles (51 km) | Elevation +270m.

You will leave the Camargue today and cycle to Bezier along back roads and a stretch of the famous Canal du Midi. You will finish off cycling in historic Bezier where you will hop on a train to the medieval port town of Collioure. This picturesque town enjoys a backdrop of the Pyrenees and is set around a quiet Mediterranean bay. It is known for the impressive Chateau Royal de Collioure which dominates the waterfront.

Today you will cycle on quiet back roads over the Banyuls pass, which marks the border between France and Spain. Entering Spain, you will cycle south to Figueres, where you will spend the night. The afternoon is left free for you to explore the town and you may choose to visit the famous Salvador Dali theatre-museum.

After breakfast you will cycle from your accommodation off across the rolling hills of the Emporda region of Catalonia. You will take a rest stop in Empuries where you will have the chance to visit the remains of one of the most important Greek settlements in Spain. The beaches here are inviting and you will have the chance to go for a swim. You will continue by bike to your hotel located a few miles outside Torroella de Montgri and close to the beach.

You will cycle through diverse scenery including stops at the lovely medieval villages of Peratallada and La Bisbal. The route continues across low hills covered with oak tree forests before reaching the port town of Palamos. A bus will then take you to Barcelona. After checking into your hotel you will have the rest of the afternoon free to explore this marvellous city.

Meals included: breakfast

Day 8

We say “adiós” and “hasta pronto”!

Meals included: breakfast

This tour is operated by our preferred local partner.

Your cycling holiday in Cycling Holidays France

Cycle Marseilles to Barcelona | Guided Group

Your cycling holiday in Cycling Holidays France

Gallery

Your cycling holiday in Cycling Holidays France

Cycle Marseilles to Barcelona | Guided Group

Note: The accommodation listed below is indicative, it is not guaranteed and is subject to availability. Alternative accommodation of an equal standard may be used.

Ibis Gare St Charles, Marseille

3-star

Located just 1 mile from the Vieux Port and Joliette district. The hotel offers a bar with a terrace equipped with a boules court and free boules.

Hotel Bleu Marine, Saintes Maries de la Mer

2-star

Bleu Marine is just 150 yards from the Mediterranean beach. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool with sun loungers and free Wi-Fi.

Hotel Imperial, Sete

3-star

Just 200 yards from the beaches the hotel offers bright and modern air-conditioned rooms. Some rooms boast a private balcony and a sea view.

Hotel Princes de Catalogne, Collioure

3-star

Situated on a quiet square, the hotel is located 450 yards from the beach. The hotel was renovated in early 2009 and features a contemporary style.

Hotel Europa Figueres, Figueres

2-star

This family-run hotel is 550 yards from the Dali Museum, Hotel Europa de Figueres offers air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TV.

Hotel Picasso, Torroella

2-star

Hotel Picasso is just 450 yards from the quiet beach of La Gola del Ter, on the Costa Brava. It offers free Wi-Fi and an outdoor swimming pool.

Hotel Sant Pau, Barcelona

2-star

Located on the upper east side of the Eixample area, close to the Sagrada Família Cathedral, Gaudi's most well-known work of art, and the Sant Pau Hospital.

Package prices are indicative, please contact one of our Activities Experts for more information.

Extras

Single room supplement: £220

Solo travellers

On this tour we do not require you to pay a surcharge for travelling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveller of the same gender and if we cannot match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.

Your cycling holiday
in Cycling Holidays France

Cycle Marseilles to Barcelona | Guided Group

Total Distance

204 miles (327km)

Average distance per day

35 miles (55km)

Bikes

Your included bike is a 21 gear RTE 520 hybrid and will be the correct frame size for your height. These are unisex step-through frames, but women's step through frames are available, but are limited in number and size and may vary in bike type - please request at time of booking. A 15-litre pannier and water bottle holder are included as well as the facility to fit your own pedals or saddle if you wish to bring them. A support vehicle carries the luggage from point to point and is driven by your Leader. Maps are provided to cycle individually or as a group. We provide spare parts and take care of the day to day maintenance. All you need to bring is your own helmet. Electric bikes (available for an additional cost) will be the similar RTE 700 unisex step-through frame bikes with front and rear suspension fitted with a 250watt Geonaute 8FUN motor. You will be required to pay a refundable cash 250 Euro deposit upon collection of the e-bike in country. Please contact us for more details or to request your e-bike.

Tour Summary

From

£1099

Package Price

£1299

Your package price includes flights

Duration

8 Days (7 Nights)

Group Size

6 -16 People

Groups are rarely smaller than five people. The average is 12 people plus a group leader.

Grade

Moderate - suitable for cyclists who are used to undulating routes with occasional energetic climbs.

Support

Guided Group. A Tour Leader will provide guided tour support throughout your holiday.

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